Quantum Information Science: Applications, Global Research and Development, and Policy Considerations
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Quantum Information Science: Applications, Global Research and Development, and Policy Considerations Updated November 1, 2019 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R45409 SUMMARY R45409 Quantum Information Science: Applications, November 1, 2019 Global Research and Development, and Policy Patricia Moloney Figliola Considerations Specialist in Internet and Telecommunications Quantum information science (QIS) combines elements of mathematics, computer Policy science, engineering, and physical sciences, and has the potential to provide capabilities far beyond what is possible with the most advanced technologies available today. Although much of the press coverage of QIS has been devoted to quantum computing, there is more to QIS. Many experts divide QIS technologies into three application areas: Sensing and metrology, Communications, and Computing and simulation. The government’s interest in QIS dates back at least to the mid-1990s, when the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Department of Defense (DOD) held their first workshops on the topic. QIS is first mentioned in the FY2008 budget of what is now the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program and has been a component of the program since then. Today, QIS is a component of the National Strategic Computing Initiative (Presidential Executive Order 13702), which was established in 2015. Most recently, on August 30, 2019, President Trump established the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee (Presidential Executive Order 13885), in accordance with the National Quantum Initiative Act, signed into law in late 2018. The United States is not alone in increasing investment in QIS R&D. This research is also being pursued at major research centers worldwide, with China and the European Union having the largest foreign QIS programs. Further, even without explicit QIS initiatives, many other countries, including Russia, Germany, and Austria, are making strides in QIS research and development (R&D). This report provides an overview of QIS technologies: sensing and metrology, communications, and computing and simulation. It also includes examples of existing and potential future applications; brief summaries of funding and selected R&D initiatives in the United States and elsewhere around the world; a description of U.S. congressional activity; and a discussion of related policy considerations. Congressional Research Service QIS: Applications, Global Research and Development, and Policy Considerations Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 QIS Applications ............................................................................................................................. 1 Sensing and Metrology ............................................................................................................. 2 Communications ....................................................................................................................... 2 Computing and Simulation ....................................................................................................... 2 U.S. Government QIS Research History and Funding .................................................................... 3 U.S. Government QIS Initiatives and Activity ................................................................................ 3 National Science and Technology Council, “Advancing Quantum Information Science: National Challenges and Opportunities” ................................................................. 4 National Science and Technology Council, “The National Strategic Overview for Quantum Information Science” ............................................................................................. 5 Department of Commerce, Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, “Review of Controls for Certain Emerging Technologies” ....................................................................... 7 National Science and Technology Council, Request for Information, “National Strategic Overview for Quantum Information Science” and White House Summit on Quantum ............................................................................................................................ 7 Presidential Executive Order 13885, “Establishing the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee” ............................................................................................................ 8 International QIS Initiatives ............................................................................................................ 8 China ......................................................................................................................................... 9 European Union ........................................................................................................................ 9 United Kingdom ...................................................................................................................... 10 Canada ..................................................................................................................................... 10 U.S. Congressional Activity: 116th Congress ................................................................................ 10 U.S. Congressional Activity: 115th Congress ................................................................................. 11 Legislation ................................................................................................................................ 11 National Quantum Initiative Act (S. 3143, H.R. 6227) ...................................................... 11 Quantum Computing Research Act (S. 2998) .................................................................... 11 Department of Energy Quantum Information Science Research Act (S. 3673) ................ 12 Hearings .................................................................................................................................. 12 American Leadership in Quantum Technology ................................................................ 12 China’s Pursuit of Emerging and Exponential Technologies ............................................ 13 Disrupter Series, Quantum ................................................................................................ 13 U.S. Policy Considerations ............................................................................................................ 13 Institutional Boundaries .......................................................................................................... 13 Education and Workforce Training ......................................................................................... 14 Technology and Knowledge Transfer ..................................................................................... 14 Materials and Fabrication ........................................................................................................ 14 Level and Stability of Funding ................................................................................................ 14 Tables Table 1. The National Strategic Overview for Quantum Information Science: QIS Policy Opportunities ................................................................................................................................ 5 Congressional Research Service QIS: Applications, Global Research and Development, and Policy Considerations Contacts Author Information ........................................................................................................................ 14 Congressional Research Service QIS: Applications, Global Research and Development, and Policy Considerations Introduction Combining elements of mathematics, computer science, engineering, and physical sciences, quantum information science (QIS) has the potential to provide capabilities far beyond what is possible with the most advanced technologies available today. Quantum science, generally, is the study of the smallest particles of matter and energy; QIS builds on quantum science principles to obtain and process information in ways that cannot be achieved based on classical physics principles. QIS is based on the premise that information science depends on quantum effects in physics. The advantages to using QIS in certain circumstances can be illustrated by the example of quantum computing. Quantum computing is not just “faster” than classical computing. It is not useful for many types of problems where a classical supercomputer would excel. However, there are certain tasks for which the power of quantum computing is unmatched, such as code breaking. This power is derived from quantum computing’s use of “qubits” or “quantum bits.” Whereas classical computing uses “bits” for data processing, quantum computing uses qubits. The practical difference between a bit and a qubit is that a bit can only exist in one of two states at a time, usually represented by a 1 and a 0, whereas a qubit can exist in both states at one time. This is a phenomenon called “superposition” and it is what allows the power of a quantum computer to grow exponentially with the addition of each bit. Two bits in a classical computer provides four possible combinations—00, 01, 11, and 10, but only one combination at a time. Two bits in a quantum computer provides for the same four possibilities, but, because